maintenance / support
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support
The financial support that a person is legally required to provide for another person's living expenses, especially for children or former spouses.
Nach der Scheidung muss er monatlich Unterhalt für seine beiden Kinder zahlen.
After the divorce, he has to pay monthly support for his two children.
'Der Unterhalt' (maintenance/support) derives from the verb 'unterhalten'. This verb can mean to provide for someone financially ('eine Familie unterhalten' — to support a family) or to keep something in good condition ('ein Haus unterhalten' — to maintain a house).
Es ist teuer, ein so altes Auto zu unterhalten.
It is expensive to maintain such an old car.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: If it is about family, divorce, and children, financial support (m01) is meant. If it is about houses, cars, or technology, the costs of maintenance (m02) are meant.
Sie streiten vor Gericht um den Unterhalt für die Kinder.
They are fighting in court over support for the children.
In a legal context, 'Unterhalt' (support) is often used with the verbs 'zahlen' (to pay), 'bekommen' (to receive), 'fordern' (to demand/claim), or 'leisten' (to provide). The person who receives the money is named with the preposition 'für' (for).
Er ist gesetzlich verpflichtet, Unterhalt für seine Ex-Frau zu zahlen.
He is legally required to pay support for his ex-wife.
The noun 'der Unterhalt' is used almost exclusively in the singular, even when it refers to the costs for several things or people. The plural 'die Unterhalte' is very rare.
Der Unterhalt für das Haus und das Auto wird immer teurer.
The maintenance for the house and the car is getting more and more expensive.
support
'Unterstützung' and 'Unterhalt' can both have to do with money that someone receives or needs. 'Unterstützung' is more general and can be any kind of financial support, including voluntary help or help only for a specific situation. 'Unterhalt' usually means regular money for living expenses, often with a legal obligation, for example for children or former spouses. The words can be confused because 'Unterhalt' is a type of financial support. In legal or family-related money matters, 'Unterhalt' is usually more precise.
Nach der Trennung zahlt mein Vater Unterhalt für meine kleine Schwester.
After the separation, my father pays support for my little sister.
Beim Termin fragt Maria nach finanzieller Unterstützung für die Ausbildung.
At the appointment, Maria asks about financial support for her training.